Best Travel Credit Cards for Families in 2025: Fly More, Stress Less
Traveling as a family isn’t cheap — but if you’re not using a travel rewards credit card, you’re probably leaving hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on the table.
I’m Sheila from SheMamaMaps, and as a mom who plans every trip down to the last snack bag, I’ve tested a lot of cards over the years. Whether you’re looking to save on flights, book free hotel nights, or just earn points on everyday purchases, these are my go-to credit cards for families in 2025.
✈️ What Makes a Travel Card Family-Friendly?
Before we dive in, here’s what I look for:
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Big welcome bonuses (hello, free flights!)
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Points for grocery stores, gas, and dining — places moms spend most
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Flexible redemptions (not locked into one airline or hotel)
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No foreign transaction fees for international travel
🔝 1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
(THIS SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST CARD IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT)
Best all-around card for family travelers
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60,000+ bonus points after meeting minimum spend
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2X points on dining, travel, and select streaming
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Points transfer to partners like United, Southwest, Hyatt, and more
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Annual fee: $95
💡 Why I love it: Points are super flexible. I’ve used mine for flights, cruises, and even theme park hotels.
📍 Great for: Families new to travel hacking but ready to level up.
GET THE OFFER HERE 👇
Earn 100,000 bonus points with Sapphire Reserve® or 75,000 bonus points with Sapphire Preferred®.
🏖️ 2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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75,000 bonus miles (that’s ~$750 in travel!)
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2X miles on every purchase
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Use miles to erase any travel purchase — flights, hotels, Airbnb, Uber
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Annual fee: $95
💡 Why I love it: No complicated points transfers. Just book, erase, done.
📍 Great for: Busy parents who want a simple, flexible system.
GET THE OFFER HERE 👇
🍽️ 3. American Express® Gold Card
Best for grocery-store warriors and foodie families
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60,000 Membership Rewards® points
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4X points at supermarkets (up to $25K/year) + restaurants
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Points transfer to airlines like Delta, JetBlue, Emirates
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Annual fee: $250
💡 Why I love it: Between grocery runs and birthday dinners, this card racks up points fast.
📍 Great for: Families who eat at home a lot and want luxury flight potential.
🌎 4. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best no-hassle starter card (pairs well with Sapphire)
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1.5% cashback on everything (can be turned into travel points if paired with Sapphire)
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No annual fee
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3% on dining and drugstores
💡 Why I love it: This is the card I started with — no annual fee, no stress.
📍 Great for: Beginners or those who want to ease into rewards.
💼 Bonus Tips for Moms Getting Started:
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Don’t open multiple cards at once — start with one you’ll actually use
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Track your minimum spend — you usually have 3 months to earn the bonus
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Always pay your balance in full — points aren’t worth credit card debt
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Look for cards with no foreign transaction fees if you travel internationally
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Pair cards strategically — e.g. Sapphire + Freedom = point powerhouse
🧭 My Personal Strategy
I use:
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Chase Sapphire Preferred for most travel and dining
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Freedom Unlimited for everyday spend
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Amex Gold for groceries + dining
These 3 alone have helped me cover flights to Japan, Costa Rica, and cruise excursions — all while just spending on things I already needed.
🧭 Want to Go Deeper?
✅ Grab my Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Points for step-by-step help
✅ Download my Google Sheets Travel Points & Miles Tracking Spreedsheet
✅ Follow me on TikTok for real-time tips and hacks: @SheMamaMaps
🔗 Related Posts to Help You Get Started:
✨ Final Thoughts
If you’re a parent, you’re already spending money every week on groceries, gas, and Target runs. Why not make those dollars work for your next family adventure?
Travel hacking isn’t about spending more — it’s about being intentional. And these credit cards are your first step toward flying farther, staying longer, and creating bigger memories with your family.
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